Monthly Report Global Water Partnership

September 2013

Table of contents NewsFlow October 2013 ........................................................................................................................................ 2 GWP Regions ........................................................................................................................................................ 13 CARIBBEAN .............................................................................................................................................................. 13 CENTRAL AFRICA ....................................................................................................................................................... 17 CENTRAL AMERICA .................................................................................................................................................... 18 CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE .................................................................................................................................. 19 CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS .................................................................................................................................... 19 EASTERN AFRICA ....................................................................................................................................................... 32 SOUTH AMERICA ....................................................................................................................................................... 38 SOUTHERN AFRICA .................................................................................................................................................... 38 SOUTH ASIA ............................................................................................................................................................. 40 SOUTH EAST ASIA ..................................................................................................................................................... 40 WEST AFRICA ........................................................................................................................................................... 49

Global Water Partnership (GWP), Global Secretariat, Drottninggatan 33, SE-111 51 Stockholm, Sweden

Phone: +46 (0)8 1213 8600, Fax: + 46 (0)8 1213 8604, e-mail: gwp@gwp.org

NewsFlow October 2013

Towards a SDG for water – GWP at the Budapest Water Summit

“Water is fundamental, water unites, water connects.

Safeguard and rehabilitate ecosystems and water. There

is a need for a dedicated water goal.” These are the

major messages from the Budapest Water Statement

which was endorsed by the participants at the high-level

meeting “Budapest Water Summit” at the closing

session on 11 October 2013.

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A call for a dedicated Sustainable Development Goal for water was the main outcome of the Summit,

organised by the Government of Hungary on 8-11 October 2013, bringing together 1,200 participants

from around the world. Inaugurated by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon together with the

President of Hungary and the Prince of Jordan El Hassan bin Talal among others, the conference was

a big success for the water community and the hosting country, Hungary.

The support for a dedicated water goal was clearly stated by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon

who said that the UN Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation is advocating for a dedicated water

goal because “water holds the key to sustainable development.” Underlining that “we must make

sure that water remains a catalyst for cooperation not conflict among communities and countries,”

Mr Ban Ki-Moon talked about cooperation in three areas critical to sustainable development: food

security, climate change, and sanitation.

A GWP delegation participated in the programme which included high-level sessions, forums on

youth, business, science, civil society and an exhibition.

GWP Chair Dr Ursula Schaefer-Preuss participated in the High-Level Panel discussion “How to govern

water wisely with SMART SDGs” stressing that “the water crisis is mainly a governance crisis”. As the

border between rural and urban land is diminishing with the growth of the world’s population, Dr

Schaefer-Preuss underlined the importance of ensuring that water fits its purpose, to be able to

supply more people with less, one of the biggest challenges of the future. “Therefore water has to be

managed across sectors and institutions”, she said.

GWP Technical Committee Chair Dr Mohamed Ait-Kadi participated in the “High-Level Water -

Energy - Food Nexus Evening Panel”, declaring that “IWRM and the water-energy-food nexus are two

approaches reinforcing each other”. The nexus invites us to reconsider the development paradigm

and requires strong analytical capacities. IWRM is a process which is conducive to trade-offs, linking

water resources management with green growth so that necessary change can happen. Stressing the

importance of development and capacity building of institutions and people “a SDG on water is

important because it holds governments accountable to their people on how they manage their

water resources”, Dr Ait-Kadi said.

Croatia wins 2013 Danube Art Master

Croatian children won the

"International Danube Art Master

2013" competition which is co-

organised by GWP Central and Eastern

Europe. Hungarian President Janos

Ader presented the award at the

Budapest Water Summit. Read more.

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GWP Executive Secretary Dr Ania Grobicki participated in the Civil Society Forum, moderated by

GWP Central and Eastern Europe Chair Martina Zupan, and the Science Forum on “Financing Water

and Sanitation SDGs” giving an overview of the process of the SDGs negotiations saying that “we

hope that this conference will be a step towards achieving a dedicated sustainable development goal

on water”. Dr Grobicki also underlined the importance of financing to ensure investments into soft

water resources management such as multi-stakeholder country dialogues, recently facilitated by

GWP on the SDGs, and not only hard infrastructure water projects. “Which choices we make in

investments have substantial impact on sustainable growth”, she stressed, presenting the GWP-

OECD global dialogue on water security and sustainable growth, “as too little has been done so far in

this area”. Martina Zupan also emphasized that nothing mentioned at the Summit can be addressed

without proper investments and financing of water.

GWP Hungary, with its Chair Jozsef Gayer, was instrumental in organising the event and were

together with GWP Central and Eastern Europe honoured to have the Hungarian President Janos

Ader present at the Award Ceremony of the Danube Art Masters 2013, won by Croatia. The

President handed out the awards, and the ceremony with pupils from 13 Danube Basin countries was

moderated by GWP Hungary’s Monika Jetzin.

GWP Senior Knowledge Management Officer Dr Danka Thalmeinerova moderated the Youth Water

Forum where the price and costs of water was one of the topics discussed. “Why is a country's

wealth expressed in gold, diamonds and oil and not by its water resources?” was one topic of

discussion.

The water community at the high-level meeting in Budapest clearly expressed its support for an

integrated approach to water resources management as the solution to a better future. Water

cooperation, good governance, multi-stakeholder engagement and a participatory approach to water

resources management, the cornerstones of the integrated approach, was stressed as the solution by

many high-level speakers. The Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs closed the meeting by

concluding that “water unites rather than divides”, solutions must be found and therefore we need a

specific SDG on water.

Photos from the Summit are available on GWP’s Flickr page.

GWP CACENA Engages Young People in Water Education

GWP Armenia and GWP Turkmenistan have conducted several projects focused on schools. The

purpose is to engage more young people in water resources management.

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In Armenia, a five-day training session was held to raise awareness among senior high school

students. The students were informed about water challenges and learned how they can get involved

in water resources management.

The training outlined the need and importance of water resources protection – for current and

future generations – and the human right to water and sanitation. Water quality indicators were also

explained. The training was conducted in the Hamo Sahyan school in Yerevan and all students

received training materials and certificates.

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Multimedia Project in Turkmenistan

GWP Turkmenistan took part in the first consultative meeting of “Green Pack” for Central Asia.

"Green Pack" is a multimedia resource providing environmental education for secondary school

teachers and schoolchildren aged 11-15.

The meeting took place in Ashgabat at the end of August, and the participants discussed “Green

Pack” as a tool for promoting water issues in Turkmenistan. The tool, which can also be used at

other educational levels, is oriented to studying various aspects of environmental protection and

sustainable development.

Among the participants were representatives from Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Environment

Protection, the Institute for teachers’ advanced training, secondary schools, international agencies,

as well as national and international NGOs, and environmental businesses.

The "Green Pack" educational resources will be tested in October-November 2013, with a series of

information workshops on water themes planned for school teachers.

Related Links:

Green Pack online

Unpacking the Nexus in Southern Africa

The sixth Multi-Stakeholder Water Dialogue of the Southern African Development Community

(SADC) was held on 1-2 October 2013 in Lusaka, Zambia. GWP Southern Africa actively supports this

biennial dialogue.

--------------------------- link goes to story on GWP SA website:

Although a number of policy instruments have been developed at the regional level which take into account the nexus approach, it has been recognised that more needs to be done in breaking down silos towards the integrated planning and implementation of development imperatives by addressing the interconnections within the Water, Energy and Food nexus. To address this regional challenge, the 6th SADC Multi-stakeholder Water Dialogue brought together 170 participants. These included Directors in Government Departments of Energy, Agriculture and Water; and other selected ministry representatives including Finance & Economic Planning, Health, and Environment.

The Dialogue was also attended by representatives from civil society, private sector, International Cooperation Partners (ICPs) and the media to engage on the region’s development challenges by addressing. The 6th SADC Multi-Stakeholder Water Dialogue held under the theme: “Watering Development in SADC: Exploring the water, energy and food nexus, served three main objectives:

· To create awareness and understanding of the “Water, Energy and Food Nexus” and why

· To discuss concrete project examples from the region with a wide range of stakeholders from the three sectors, thus facilitating future collaboration and motivating political uptake of the nexus concept in Southern Africa.

· To ensure that the nexus approach finds consideration at the highest level, in the countries and the region as well as ensuring that the regional perspective and cooperation are taken heed of when planning at national level. The audience comprised

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The discussions at the dialogue focused on developing infrastructure and institutions that can use the current resource endowment in order to grow economies . According to the SADC Secretariat Senior Programme Officer, Mr. Phera Ramoeloi, it was noted that the nexus perspective provides an opportunity to help the SADC region to apply the Integrated Water Resources Management concept as well as integration and cooperation in the management of water resources for its various uses and demands particularly for energy and food security. In his opening speech, the Deputy Minister, Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water, Hon Charles K. Zulu, who officiated the dialogue as guest of honour on behalf of the Minister, Hon. Christopher Yaluma, emphasized the importance of the interaction in driving development in the SADC region. The Deputy Minister further stated the need for a good understanding of the Water, Energy and Food nexus for the various stakeholders to move from discussion to implementation. A practical example of the nexus in the Kafue Flats, was given in the Deputy Minister’s speech:

“As you may be aware, we have a storage reservoir upstream and a hydro-power station downstream of the Kafue flats. In between, we have some of the biggest food producing areas, producing crops such as sugarcane and also livestock. The Water resources in the Kafue Flats are very important to the economic development of the country especially the production of food and hydro-power.”

The keynote speech, delivered by Bai Mass Taal, Executive Secretary, African Ministers Council

on Water, emphasised the need for the nexus and also highlighted the difficulties in working

across the silo structures. In his keynote speech, he noted that:

“The relationships between the sectors are as old as creation itself, but attention on the diverse effects is becoming increasingly critical and evident. This is so because the times are difficult; we are now in a time when we are witnessing escalating demands on these resources due to multiplying populations and rapid urban migrations”

Through presentations and panel discussions held in the latter part of day 1, the dialogue

unpacked the meaning of the nexus approach and what it means for the SADC region – the

following are some of the key issues that came from the presentations and the plenary

sessions:

* The nexus approach and IWRM are not mutually exclusive

* The nexus approach is a tool and not a dogma

* The nexus approach provides the region with an opportunity for coherent and well

planned development and use of water, energy and food resources

* Both policy and economic instruments (like pricing) are important in driving the

nexus approach.

Day two of the dialogue focused on exploring some examples of how the nexus approach is

being implemented at the different scales – looking at understanding what is enabling this

interaction, the challenges and the institutional and policy implications. This was done through

case studies at the local and national level, and included presentations on:

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- Local Case Study on the Nexus Interaction in the eThekwini Municipality - Interactions between water, food and energy in the wildlife sector - National government and private sector response – South Africa Water Partnership Network - Swaziland experience – Water, food and energy nexus in the sugar industry

A panel discussion was held in the afternoon of the second day to better understand the “how”

- how can we make the nexus approach work? What frameworks are needed to make the nexus

work? Overall, the dialogue concluded on the following issues:

· Need to work with champions at different levels who can drive the nexus (like development planning at the national level and trade at the regional level)

· For planning and implementation of the nexus there is need to create integrated platforms working within existing institutions. There is also need to deepen the understanding of how these mechanisms can function at the different levels – learning from where its working

· Private sector as a main user of the resource will need to be engaged actively in the nexus discussion. However, clear policies and regulations for engagement– in order to protect the social responsibilities. The meeting recognised the work of the Water Stewardship Programme being implemented by SADC and GiZ as a sure way of addressing engagement with private sector

· To be able to drive the nexus approach there is need to look at the potential of expanding the mandates of regional institutions like the RBOs.

· There is need to develop clear policies for integrative research on the nexus approach. In setting the research agenda there is need to bring the different sectors and players together from the on-set, build capacity on integrated research, build partnerships that will drive the nexus approach, and develop coordinating mechanisms for research strategy.

· There is need to highlight the importance of the ecosystem in the nexus approach – through knowledge sharing and recognising the role that the environment plays as a user and source of the resource.

· There is a need to understand the consequences of interventions in the different sectors - by looking at the whole system. The nexus should therefore be linked with climate variability and climate change issues – in seeking ways the nexus can contribute to building climate resilience.

· Need to learn from the development trajectory pathways of emerging markets (like China, Brazil and India) to influence decisions now on how to deal with the nexus issue.

The dialogue resulted in commitments to take immediate steps to speed up regional integrated planning and implementation of nexus issues. The stakeholders agreed to take the following steps forward:

· Look at ways to institutionalise the nexus approach (for example in the Energy

policy)

· Elevate the nexus discussion to the ministers in charge of water, energy and

food

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· Take the outcomes of this water dialogue beyond the WRTC – to other sectors

energy and agriculture

· Communicate the incentives for coordination and cooperation – by highlighting

the impact of not cooperating

· Take forward the nexus discussion to the national level – national water weeks

Read archived twitter feeds on the 6th SADC Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue

on @sadcwater ; https://twitter.com/sadcwater

Read outcome reports on previous dialogues

Water, Climate, and Development Programme Tops Agenda in Central America GWP’s Water, Climate, and Development Programme has been formally introduced in Central America. Launch events have taken place in Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, and there will be events in Guatemala and El Salvador by the end of October. --------------------------- GWP partners in the region, as well as actors in the water and climate sectors, participated in the consultations and launch events and now the region is readying for the implementation phase. GWP Central America initiated the programme together with agencies of the Central American Integration System and other relevant actors. It links integrated water resources management (IWRM) with resilience to climate change and the sustainable development of the countries. Julie Lennox of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) says that “initiatives like the Water, Climate, and Development Programme are important to harmonize the efforts that can be done at the local and productive levels with the different stakeholders of Central America.” Central America has one of the highest levels of vulnerability to climate change in the world due to its geographical location. Of the 250 registered extreme weather events in the region in the past 80 years, 85% were related to water. A recent example is the tropical storm “12-E” which hit the region in October 2011. The storm caused the loss of USD 67.25 million in the agriculture sector in Guatemala, USD 29.7 millions in Honduras, USD 28.7 millions in El Salvador, USD 21.9 millions in Costa Rica and USD 17.3 millions in Nicaragua. (ECLAC) Related Links: Video about the Water, Climate and Development Programme Homepage of GWP Central America (in Spanish) Water and Climate Partners Share Experiences in Workshop

The 5th WACDEP Technical Coordination Workshop took place in Kigali, Rwanda, 23-28 September.

The main purpose was to share experiences and discuss the coordination of implementing WACDEP

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in the participating GWP regions and countries. WACDEP is a joint AMCOW-GWP programme on

water, climate, and development.

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Over 70 people attended the workshop, which was officially opened by Ms. Caroline Kayonga,

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Rwanda. The workshop consisted of

several key meetings which catered to participants in different stages of the implementation process:

WACDEP Country Managers from Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Ghana, Mozambique,

Cameroon and Rwanda gave presentations on the progress and outputs towards integrating water

security and climate resilience into National Development Plans and developing investments plans.

A full-day session on solving financial management challenges was held by WACDEP Finance Officer

Peter Nyman, and a WACDEP communication strategy was also discussed. A capacity building

meeting gave the participants an opportunity to discuss the suitability of the learning materials in a

real world development context, using Rwanda as a case study.

GWP representatives also had a meeting with Rwanda’s Minister of Water Resources, discussing the

next steps for WACDEP in Rwanda. Among the actions agreed was to start the process of setting up a

project management office and to recruit the needed staff.

Active Involvement

The WACDEP workshop showed that all the countries involved have made a significant step in

implementing the programme. However, it was concluded that there is still a strong need to get

further support and guidelines from the main WACDEP coordination unit on all aspects of the

implementation process.

In conclusion, Professor Torkil Clausen, Chair of the WACDEP Reference Group, an Advisory team of

experts, stated that he was very impressed with the progress made by countries. “Overall the

essence of the WACDEP is to apply a ‘water lens’ to development, and the progress by the countries

has been good,” he said.

GWP’s Global Coordinator for WACDEP, Alex Simalabwi, stressed the importance of WACDEP for the

resilience of Africa’s development and growth.

“Africa is making international headlines on economic growth, but climate change threatens the

sustainability of long term inclusive growth, employment and jobs. Investments in water security and

climate resilience are key and this is what WACDEP aims to achieve,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of AMCOW, Ms. Laila Lailaoulkacha, AMCOW Programme Officer for climate

change, commended GWP for WACDEP, which she said was a flagship programme for AMCOW. She

pledged to ensure that AMCOW Ministers are informed on the good progress GWP is making.

The next WACDEP meeting will take place in Accra, Ghana, in June 2014.

Agriculture Stakeholders Join Forces at World Irrigation Forum

Stakeholders concerned with water management and food security recently gathered for the First

World Irrigation Forum in Turkey. A GWP delegation participated and discussed future collaboration

possibilities with forum organiser ICID (The International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage).

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Around 700 people from 62 countries – policy makers, experts, research institutions, non-

governmental organizations, private sector companies and farmers – got together to discuss the

water challenges affecting the agricultural sector.

GWP was represented by Dr. Uma Lele, member of the GWP Technical Committee, and John

Metzger, Head of GWP Network Operations. Their participation included Dr. Lele presenting a

keynote address on Financing for Irrigation and Drainage, and Mr. Metzger presenting the Integrated

Drought Management Programme, a joint initiative of GWP and the World Meteorological

Organization (WMO).

Future Cooperation

A wider GWP-ICID collaboration was also discussed at the Forum, with the aim to foster stronger

links between the ICID and GWP networks. The ICID, established in 1950, is recognized as the leading

international technical network of professionals in more than 100 countries working for sustainable

water management for food security. GWP will encourage its regional and country water

partnerships (RWPs and CWPs) to link up with National ICID Committees where possible, and a

stronger GWP-ICID technical collaboration will also be explored.

Potential joint initiatives for floods, droughts and climate services was also discussed, and GWP

agreed to engage with ICID on relevant drought and flood management activities.

Mr. Metzger attended the meeting of an ICID Africa Working Group where capacity-building issues in

agriculture and irrigation were raised as a dire need in Sub-Saharan Africa. He took the opportunity

to share with the group GWP’s Water, Climate and Development Programme (WACDEP) in Africa.

Related Links:

The GWP presentations made at the World Irrigation Forum are available on Slideshare Homepage of the First World Irrigation Forum Homepage of ICID

GWP Associate Wins UNESCO-IHE Alumni Award

Michael Mutale from Zambia is the winner of the UNESCO-IHE Alumni Award 2013. Mr. Mutale

has been involved with GWP since its early days in 1996, and was instrumental in setting up

many of GWP’s projects in Southern Africa.

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The UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education has provided more 14,500 water professionals

from over 160 countries with a postgraduate education. As of this year, the Institute gives an

annual award to an alumni who is at the height of her or his career and has proven to be a role

model for other water professionals. Announcing winner of the first award, UNESCO-IHE praised

Mr. Mutale for “his dedication to improving the quality of life in Southern Africa and his efforts

in solving water resources management challenges”.

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Michael Mutale is currently the Executive Secretary at the Zambezi Watercourse Commission

(ZAMCOM) and former coordinator of the GWP Southern African Regional Technical Committee. His

career has been interlinked with the GWP network for a long time:

“I have been fortunate to have been associated with GWP from its nascent stages when I served a

member of the Southern African Technical Committee (SATAC, 1996-2001). SATAC was an embryonic

mechanism to test how the partnership would function. As SATAC member, a vivid memorable

moment was when I successfully facilitated the establishment and launch of the Zambia Water

Partnership in 2000. Since then I have been contributing regularly to the various thematic efforts of

GWP and GWP Southern Africa in particular, especially when I served the role of coordination of the

Regional Technical Committee (RTEC) from 2008 to 2011. At the moment I still continue collaborating

with GWP, only this time with a ZAMCOM "hat".

Mr. Mutale’s dedication to water management also earned him a laureate of the Zayed International

Prize for Environment in 2005, as one of the experts of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Mr.

Mutale will receive his Alumni Award at the annual celebration of the UNESCO-IHE Alumni Day on 17

October 2013.

More GWP News WIN Association Founded (Water Integrity Network)

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GWP in the news

SADC Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Explores Water, Energy, Food Nexus (iisd Reporting Services)

Global Water Partnership as International Institution of the Week (Global Education Magazine)

World Leaders Meet for Water Summit in Budapest (Water Journalists Africa)

Aktivisti bijú na poplach: Štát potichu pripravuje zákon, ktorý umožní kšefty s vodou! (Slovak debate

on water resources in www.zoznam.sk)

Faren for vannterror øker kraftig (“Increasing Danger of Water Terrorism”, Norwegian newspaper

Aftenposten)

Africa water resources not properly managed – expert (The New Times)

Bimwe mu bihugu bya Afurika biranengwa guterera agati mu ryinyo ku iyangizwa ry’ibidukikije

(Report about WACDEP meeting in Kigali, Rwanda - IGIHE.com)

CGI experts discuss climate change, sustainability (Devex Impact) C40 Voices: Hastings Chikoko, Africa Regional Director (National Geographic NewsWatch)

Coming events

21 Oct - 17 Nov 2013, Introduction to Water Diplomacy, online course by UNITAR

28-30 Oct 2013, India Water Forum (IWF), New Delhi, India

30 Oct-1 Nov 2013, The 14th WaterNet/WARFSA/GWP-SA symposium, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

17 Oct – 14 Nov 2013, Introduction to NASA Remote Sensing Data for Water, NASA ARSET Webinar 31 Oct 2013, CDP Global Water Forum 2013: Investing in Water Security, online event 4-8 Nov 2013, International Water Week Amsterdam, The Netherlands 8 November 2013 Water and Green Economy Conference, London, UK 21-23 Nov 2013, High Level Forum on Water and Sanitation in Africa, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire 5-6 Dec 2013, The 3rd Annual Effluent & Water Management Conference 2013, Nairobi, Kenya 20-22 January 2014, International Water Summit in Abu Dhabi 2014, United Arab Emirates 19-21 February 2014, Gender, Water & Development Conference, East London, South Africa 13th–15th May 2014, The Third International Conference on Water Resources and Environmental Management (ICWRE-2014), Antalya, Turkey 1-5 June, 2014, Singapore International Water Week, Singapore 30 June – 2 July, 2014, 2014 Summer Speciality Conference: IWRM From Theory to Application in

Reno, Nevada, USA.

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New Resources

“The Theatre of the Absurd” (UNESCO-IHP and UN-Water)

Assessment of Cost Recovery through Water Pricing (European Environment Agency)

Thinking About Water Differently: Managing the Water-Food-Energy Nexus (Asian Development

Bank)

Free Flow. Reaching Water Security through Cooperation (UNESCO)

Rural Sanitation at Scale (online course by WEDC, Loughborough University)

Guide to implementing the Water Convention (UNECE)

Water Security for Better Lives (OECD)

Water Ethics – A Values Approach to Solving the Water Crisis (a new book published by Routledge)

Water Security – Principles, Perspectives and Practices (a new book published by Routledge)

IWRM Education (joint online project by IWAS and IHP/HWRP)

Calls

Call for papers for the IWA Water, Energy and Climate Conference 2014 – Solutions for Future Water

Security. Deadline 30 Nov 2013.

Request for participation in survey (online survey on groundwater quality, by EAWAG) Call for proposals: Waterwheel World Water Day Symposium 2014, pdf by Water-Wheel. Closing date for submission, 22 Nov 2013 Call for Communication: The International Forum on Integrated Water Management. Deadline for submissions 6 Dec 2013. Water in the News

China dicing with death on water security (video interview by The Economist)

Being water secure (Business World Online)

Why Water is a Catalyst for a Green Economy and How to Make the Transition (Sacramento Bee)

New call for action as the Middle East faces increased pressure on limited water resources (Zawya)

GCC urged to conserve water resources (Trade Arabia)

PM: Thailand can handle water crisis with mega management projects (Pattaya Mail)

Water holds key to sustainable development, UN chief tells Budapest summit (UN News)

India making up claims on water issue for international sympathy: China (Hindustan Times)

China may ignore water disputes on Manmohan Singh's Beijing visit (The Times of India)

Water discovery in Kenya to spark development, improve security (Sabahi Online)

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Super Dam: Egyptian Concern for Nile Water Security Spurs Cooperation Over Ethiopia’s New Dam

(Circle of Blue)

Water scarcity is a looming threat to global security (The National)

Groundwater: The Elephant Underfoot (National Geographic)

Color-coded Management Plan Could Increase Water Security (Nature World News)

Banning of the sale of pure Water Sachet (GhanaWeb)

EWSA, Kigali partner to solve water shortage (The Rwanda Focus)

Water Risk on the Rise (Project Syndicate)

Water is One Key to a Peaceful World (Thomson Reuters Foundation)

Is the IPCC right on climate change? Just ask the world’s farmers (The Guardian)

Irrigation: 11 thoughts on sustainable water use in agriculture (The Guardian)

China’s dam environmental problem (East Asia Forum)

One Way to Solve Fracking’s Dirty Problem (MIT Technology Review)

Conflicting reporting systems may hinder companies' water risk strategies (The Guardian)

First Nations angry over being shut out of CNRL plan to drain lake, contain leaking bitumen

(Edmonton Journal)

Deadly lake turns animals into statues (New Scientist)

GWP Regions

CARIBBEAN

Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C)

Report for September 2013

Activities

GWP-C Spearheads the Application of the Caribbean Climate Online Risk and Adaptation Tool (CCORAL) to the Water Sector

The Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) has embarked on a new and exciting initiative, designed to develop practical and user-friendly tools for climate resilient decision-making, focused on the water sector in the Caribbean. The new initiative will be undertaken as part of the GWP-C Water, Climate and Development Programme (WACDEP) for the Caribbean.

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The initiative called “CCORAL-Water” builds upon the Caribbean Climate Online Risk and Adaptation Tool (CCORAL), an online support system for climate resilient decision-making; a platform hosted by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC). CCORAL-Water therefore aims to support the existing CCORAL system, by introducing tools that are centred on the services which contribute to water security in the Caribbean and will focus on identifying and addressing climate risks which threaten the provision of services to sectors. The tool targets stakeholders in water-related planning in government departments, utilities, the private sector and other areas. GWP-C is spearheading the development of CCORAL-Water in collaboration with the CCCCC with the support of a team of expert consultants lead by HR Wallingford. The development of the tool is being funded by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN). The CCORAL-Water tools will be developed using a strong consultative process to ensure that they meet the needs of the tools’ target groups.

This process was kick-started on September 18th, 2013 in Barbados, through the first Regional CCORAL-Water Consultation Workshop. The workshop which was hosted by GWP-C in partnership with the CCCCC brought together more than ten (10) high-level representatives from the water sector in the Caribbean to introduce them to the CCCCC’s CCORAL and the GWP-C’s CCORAL-Water and sought to get their feedback on the initial direction and objectives of the CCORAL-Water initiative. The one-day workshop was deemed a success as stakeholders were able to provide guidance and input on the scope and content of the CCORAL-Water tools on areas such as:

Cross-section of stakeholders at the Regional Consultation Workshop on the Caribbean Climate Online Risk-Adaptation Tool for Water (CCORAL-Water).

Mr. Keith Nichols, Programme Development Specialist at the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) is seen here introducing stakeholders to the Implementation Plan of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change and the CCCCC’s Caribbean Climate Online Risk and Adaptation Tool (CCORAL).

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Planning and decision-making systems to target as entry points.

Intended audiences for the tools.

Technical scope of tools and their intended outputs.

Critical issues and regional sectoral priorities that CCORAL-Water should address.

Decision-making processes in the water sector that would benefit from integrating climate variability and change risks.

The structure of the workshop allowed for various discussions and interaction amongst stakeholders which allowed them to understand how and where the CCORAL-Water tool would be able to deliver the most positive impact. According to Dr. Natalie Boodram, Programme Manager of the GWP-C WACDEP “The CCORAL-Water initiative directly contributes to capacity development, and the facilitation of no/low regret investments in regional and national development related to climate resilience and water security; all components of the GWP-C WACDEP.” Dr. Boodram further indicated that “the workshop provided useful information for the development of the overall WACDEP Programme.” The CCORAL-Water initiative is well underway and will continue to engage stakeholders throughout its development. The initiative is scheduled to be completed in March 2014 and at that time the tools will be made available through the Caribbean Climate Online Risk and Adaptation Tool (CCORAL) platform. Immediate Outcomes

Stakeholder input from the Regional Consultation Workshop will be incorporated into the development of the water tools to support the CCORAL system.

New Partners

GWP-C Gains Four New Partners The Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) continues to grow, having recently gained four (4) new partners. These partners include:

From Left to Right: Dr. Mark Bynoe, Senior Environmental Economist at the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) and Mr. Emil McGarrell, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Water of Guyana are seen here during discussions at the Regional CCORAL-Water Consultation Workshop held on September 18th, 2013 in Barbados.

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1. The Caribbean Agribusiness Association (CABA) - The Caribbean Agribusiness Association (CABA) is a regional non-governmental organisation (NGO) headquartered in Trinidad. The organisation was established by agri-business stakeholders in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to provide a mechanism to facilitate coordinated planning and development of the regional agri-business sector. The organisation has been working with farmer organisations throughout the region to ensure food security and environmental sustainability by implementing good agricultural practices including Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).

2. Department of Geography of The University of the West Indies (St. Augustine Campus) -

The Department of Geography is based in Trinidad at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. The Department’s main objective is to promote and advance the discipline of Geography in the Caribbean region through undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research.

3. Institute for Sustainable Development of The University of the West Indies (Mona Campus)

- The Institute for Sustainable Development is based in Jamaica at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. The Institute’s main objectives are:

- To build capacity in sustainable development especially for Caribbean Small Island

Developing States (SIDS) through teaching and research.

- To assist regional, national and international partners to develop and promote sustainable development policy and practices based on sound data.

- To assist partners to solve sustainable development problems facing SIDS.

4. The Madaweni Media Group - The Madaweni Media Group is a consultancy organisation

with headquarters in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. The organisation provides a range of media services to companies in various sectors. The organisation has worked extensively in the water sector where they have managed their clients’ outreach and social responsibility areas.

GWP-C Media Awards on Water Winner Receives Prize

During the month of September, Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) through the support of its partner, the National Water and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA) of Grenada presented the winner of the 2013 GWP-C Media Awards on Water, Mr. Milton Coy with his winning prize. Mr. Coy, a journalist and station manager of GTC Radio in Grenada, claimed the top spot in this year’s competition with his radio submission under the themes “Water Conservation and Best Practices in Water

Management.” The winning journalist was presented with his prize by Mr. Christopher Mr. Christopher Husbands (left), General Manager of the National Water and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA) is seen here presenting Mr. Milton Coy (right) with his winning prize in the 2013 Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) Media Awards on Water.

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Husbands, General Manager of the National Water and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA) on GWP-C’s behalf.

After receiving his award, Mr. Coy expressed that he was honoured to have won the 2013 GWP-C Media Awards on Water. He said “I value this accomplishment and commit myself to continue my advocacy of water cooperation among all users of water resources.” He further explained that he would promote advocacy journalism as an effective means of public education and will commit to working together with other journalists in his country of Grenada to discuss the production of various features on water issues. GWP-C through its Media Awards on Water and other initiatives will continue to share knowledge and engage media practitioners in the Caribbean on water and related issues.

CENTRAL AFRICA

WACDEP Cameroon

Sensitization meeting with potential participants and trainers of the Capacity Building

Program

The one day sensitization meeting on the water security and climate resilient development

program for Africa that held on Friday 20th September 2013 in Yaounde brought together nine

and four potential participants and trainers respectively. The meeting started at 10h00 and

ended at 17h00.

The meeting was facilitated by the National Training Coordinator (NTC), Mr David Masanga,

assisted technically by the WACDEP regional program manager for Central Africa, Mr. Hycinth

Banseka. The meeting structure was a mix of facilitated plenary presentations and discussions,

and group work.

At the end of the meeting, the participants confirmed they had a better understanding of not

only the programs objectives and structure, but also its origins, content, stakeholders and

funding. It also provided the motivation for some participants to finalize and submit their

application forms before the agreed deadline of 24th September 2013. Moreover, the detailed

capacity needs assessment report was updated based on the capacity needs and development

Mr. Milton Coy is seen here with his winning award and certificate of excellence in the 2013 Media Awards on Water.

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planning processes/projects/programs analysis in the different sectors involved in the

program conducted during the meeting.

The key output of the meeting is that the NTC had all elements required to finalize the detailed

capacity needs assessment report, and prepare Cameroon for implementation of the water

security and climate resilient development program.

CENTRAL AMERICA Water, Climate and Development Programme in Central America

Central America has one of the highest levels of vulnerability to climate change in the world due to its geographical location, subject to increasingly intense and frequent hydrometeorological events. Of the 250 registered extreme weather events in the region in the past 80 years - 85% were related to water. A recent example is the tropical storm “12-E” which hit the region in October 2011. The storm caused the loss of USD 67.25 millions in the agriculture sector in Guatemala, USD 29.7 millions in Honduras, USD 28.7 millions in El Salvador, USD 21.9 millions in Costa Rica and USD 17.3 millions in Nicaragua. (ECLAC) That is why GWP Central America together with agencies of the Central American Integration System and other relevant actors, have initiated the Water, Climate and Development Programme, which links the integrated water resources management with the generation of resilience to climate change and the sustainable development of the countries. The GWP partners in the region, as well as actors in the water and climate sectors, have participated in the consultations for the planning of the programme, and now the region is readying for the implementation phase. This past month, there have been launching events in Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, and there will be events in Guatemala and El Salvador by the end of October. These events have

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included the participation of those who were part of the consultations, but also other key stakeholders. Julie Lennox of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) says that “initiatives like the Water, Climate, and Development Programme are important to harmonize the efforts that can be done at the local and productive levels with the different stakeholders of Central America.” Link to video: http://youtu.be/V02fa0CAZKA CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS

Section 1: GWP CACENA Regional Secretariat

Chuncheon Global Water Forum

Mr. Vadim Sokolov, GWP CACENA Regional Coordinator, participated in the Chuncheon Global Water

Forum held on 11-14 September 2013 in the South Korea. This Forum is being organized annually since

2005 with the support of the Korean government in the city of Chuncheon, South Korea. It was a

working visit within cooperation between the GWP CACENA, SIC ICWC and the Global Green Growth

Institute (GGGI).

On September 11, there was held a working

meeting with a group of experts and researchers of

the Korean Institute of Construction Technologies -

KICT (www.kict.re.kr). At the request of the KICT,

Vadim Sokolov did a presentation for the staff of

the Institute on three issues:

overview of the water problems in Uzbekistan;

ideology and content of the information system for the water sector in Uzbekistan;

monitoring of water resources, and information support by UzHYDROMET.

Following the presentations, consultations with the leaders of KICT (Mr. Kim Hyeonjun, Director of

the Research Department of Water Resources and the Environment, and Mr. Kim Kyung-Tak,

Leading Researcher of the Research Department of Water Resources) were held. KICT showed

interest in developing cooperation with GWP CACENA and the Ministry of Agriculture and Water

Resources of Uzbekistan (MAWR) within a joint project on information system for MAWR of

Uzbekistan. There were agreed the following practical steps for the implementation of the joint

project:

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1. Preparation of the detailed proposal ( in the form of feasibility studies ) on development of

information system for the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of Uzbekistan by GWP

CACENA, SIC ICWC and KICT jointly ( October 2013 - January 2014 ).

2. Visit of a group of KICT experts to Uzbekistan (February 2014) to coordinate the development

of the information system feasibility study with the leaders of MAWR Uzbekistan and signing of a

memorandum of cooperation in the framework of the joint project.

3. Transfer of feasibility study through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Korea to the Korea

International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for funding.

On September 12-13, Vadim

Sokolov took part in the

Chuncheon Global Water Forum.

At the session "Transboundary

Water Management and

Cooperation", Dr. Sokolov made a

presentation "Framework for

Water Security in the Aral Sea

Basin - the results of survey

carried out by SIC ICWC and GWP

CACENA with GGGI", and then he

also took part in a panel discussion at the "Water for Global Community."

Special attention should be paid to presentation "Opportunities for harmonized cooperation in

transboundary rivers" by Le Ti Huu, Director of the Water Security Center in University of Hanoi,

Vietnam. He convincingly showed that cooperation in transboundary basins may be based on the

principles of the UN Convention, 1997, as it was done in the Mekong River Basin. Especial spirit of

cooperation based on mutual respect for all parties was created in the Mekong Basin. The strategic

elements of the "Mekong spirit" are as follows:

Sharing the vision of co-operation

Mutual understanding

Mutual trust

The primary objective of cooperation is a River of prosperity

The main idea of presentation is that if you want to achieve harmonious cooperation then no need

to focus on the problems of water it-self. It should be focused on the coordination aspects of

economic and social welfare within the shared river basin. Water problems are linked to socio-

economic areas of cooperation through coordination mechanisms for more effective management

and water governance based on the principles of the 1997 UN Convention. Dr. Ti showed the

evolution of the aspects of cooperation in the Mekong Basin: in the 1950s and ‘70s, the emphasis

was on the control of floods, and the development of agriculture; in the period 1980-2000 the

main problem was to link the interests of agriculture, hydropower, fisheries and navigation; and

after 2000 - a basis of cooperation was the strategic planning for economic growth, as well as the

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IWRM implementation and conflict resolution tools. Under present conditions it is easier to attract

investments for water sector not directly, but by "dressing" them into economic and green growth

ideas.

On September 14, Dr. Vadim Sokolov held consultations with Dr. Hong Il Pyo, Project Coordinator

of the GGGI. They discussed the issues of cooperation between GGGI and SIC ICWC and GWP

CACENA, particularly in two areas that were identified during the visit of Mr. Hong to Tashkent in

July 2013: further definition of regional strategy for the Aral Sea Basin - "Water and Green Growth"

- and the possibility to support the Russian-speaking network of INBO-EECCA.

Dr. Hong informed that in the leadership of GGGI there were major changes occurred, and the

priorities of the work program of the Institute were changed accordingly. The new leaders didn't

approve the idea to support the Russian-speaking network of INBO-EECCA. On the other hand, the

leaders of GGGI intend to continue work on the development of a regional strategy for the Aral

Sea Basin - "Water and Green Growth" - and to mobilize some financial resources for this in 2014.

Concerning this the GGGI leaders have considered the fact that this project has been marked as a

priority by the new Chair of the Executive Committee of IFAS, Mr. Khamrayev Sh.R., during his

meeting with Mr. Hong in July, in Tashkent.

It was agreed that up to the end of October 2013, GGGI (Dr. Hong) will introduce a new template

for submitting a proposal for funding of the project. During November, GWP CACENA and SIC ICWC

will provide according this form the rationale for the project to develop a regional strategy for the

Aral Sea Basin - "Water and Green Growth" - to be considered for allocation of adequate funding

in 2014.

Vadim at the discussion panel on transboundary cooperation at the Chuncheon Global Water Forum

in Korea

Section 2: CWP-Armenia

Preparing and conducting the training on water for schools

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The five-day training for the senior schools was prepared aimed to raise awareness of senior high

school students, to inform them about water challenges and involve into water resources management

process.

The following themes were considered: 1. Need and importance of water resources protection for existing and future generations. 2. Water quality indicators: physicochemical and biological monitoring. The world day of water

monitoring. 3. Integrated impact on watershed. 4. Human right to pure water and sanitation.

The training was conducted in the school named Hamo Sahyan in Erevan.

All the training students received training materials and certificates. CWP-Armenia actively

participates in the development of strategy on sustainable sanitation for Armenia within OSCD

project "Towards development of national strategy on sustainable sanitation in Armenia".

Sub-regional youth forum

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On 19-21 August 2013, in Vladivostok, CWP-Armenia took part in the Sub-regional youth forum on implementation of RIO+20 decisions. This forum was organized by the Far East Federal University together with ESCATO for Northern and Central Asia and for Eastern and North-Eastern Asia under support of the Federal Agency on Youth Affairs, the Ministry Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation.

Section 3: CWP-Kyrgyzstan

The National Workshop on International Water Law in Kyrgyzstan

The National Workshop on International Water Law was organized under the UNECE support in the

health resort "Aurora" near the Issyk-Kul Lake on 12-13 September 2013 in Kyrgyzstan. Mr.

Djailoobaev, Representative of CWP-Kyrgyzstan, took part at the workshop, where he made a

presentation "Transboundary Water Cooperation in Kyrgyzstan".

The seminar was attended by representatives of state authorities on water resources use (water

managers, environmentalists, MFA, the Hydrometeorological service, UNECE, as well as the

international experts on water law, etc.). Four colleagues from the Ministry of Water Resources of

Tajikistan were also invited.

UNDP Roundtable on development of GEF water projects in Kyrgyzstan

The CWP-Kyrgyzstan representatives took part in the UNDP Roundtable on developing the GEF water

projects on 17 September 2013 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

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This roundtable was aimed to bring experts together for consulting on two projects that are financed

by GEF and will be implemented by the UNDP national offices:

1. Capacity building of the countries in the

transboundary Syrdarya river basin to sustainable use

of groundwater and mineral resources, taking into

consideration of climate variability and change.

2. Facilitating transboundary cooperation and

integrated water resources management in the Chu-

Talas river basins.

First Workshop “River Basin Commissions and Other Joint Bodies for Transboundary Water

Cooperation: Legal and Institutional Aspects” & Eighth meeting of the Working Group on

Integrated Water Resources Management

Recognizing the importance of exchange of experience on the establishment and functioning of joint

bodies, the Parties to the Water Convention have

included in the Work Programme for 2013-2015

two workshops to promote the exchange of

experience and good practices between joint

bodies worldwide and to draw lessons learned and

recommendations.

The First Workshop was organized on 23 and 24

September 2013, back-to-back with the eighth

meeting of the Water Convention's Working Group on Integrated Water Resources Management (25

and 26 September 2013) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Mr. Djailoobaev, Representative of CWP-Kyrgyzstan, took part at these two events.

The First Workshop convened in the International Year of Water Cooperation aims to highlight opportunities and inspire effective practices/solutions in advancing the legal and institutional frameworks and tools for transboundary water cooperation through the exchange of experience and cross-fertilization within existing joint bodies, as well as to support the emergence of new joint bodies for transboundary water cooperation.

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It is also intended to contribute to the establishment of

cooperation and to provide a forum for networking

between different joint bodies from across the world,

and to build capacity for their effective functioning.

The main objective of the meeting of the Working Group

on Integrated Water Resources Management is to review

the implementation of the Work Programme for 2013–

2015.

Section 4: CWP-Turkmenistan

CWP-Turkmenistan collaborates with the Programme "Transboundary water management in Central Asia" Mrs. Guljamal Nurmukhamedova, Chair of CWP-Turkmenistan, took part in the series of national workshops on Basin Planning organized for the representatives of various national organizations and their branches within the following programme themes: 1. Legislation for basin planning. Available legislative mechanisms. 2. Institutional framework for basin planning: the basin organizations as a base for IWRM principles implementation. 3. Participation of stakeholders. Definition and mechanisms for stakeholder involvement.

National workshops on IWRM in Dashoguz, Mary and Turkmenabad. August, 2013

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Collaboration with the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC)

CWP-Turkmenistan took part in the 1st consultative meeting "Green Pack” for Central Asia as a tool for promotion of water issues in the secondary education in Turkmenistan" held on 29 August 2013 in Ashgabat. The "Green Pack" is a multimedia resource for environmental education for teachers of secondary schools and their schoolchildren. At the same time this tool can be used at various educational levels. It is oriented to study various aspects of environment protection and sustainable development. The workshop was attended by representatives of the following organizations: - Ministry of Environment Protection of Turkmenistan; - Institute for teachers advanced training; - National institute of deserts, flora and fauna of the Ministry of nature protection of Turkmenistan; - some secondary schools of Turkmenistan; - international agencies and projects; - national and international NGOs; - environmental business.

The main aim of this meeting was to present the "Green Pack" multimedia educational resource for Central Asia that was developed by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia and by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe, and to demonstrate advantages of interactive education for school children aged 11-15. Specific tasks of this meeting were as follows: - to acquaint participants with the multimedia educational resource; - to discuss its use in the educational sphere in Turkmenistan; - to discuss prospective progress and promotion of this educational resource in Turkmenistan.

Special session dedicated to water issues and potential role of "Green Pack" in Turkmenistan was held by Mrs. Guljamal Nurmukhamedova.

The "Green Pack" educational resources is planned to be tested in October-November 2013. The series of information workshops on water themes for school teachers are planned to be held too. Because this resource is oriented to study priority issues of the Caspian Region, Kazakhstan and Central Asia as a whole (water

resources, desertification, biodiversity, mountains and glaciers, energy efficiency, climate change, seas and oceans, soil, etc.) and could contribute to Green Growth, Mrs. G. Nurmukhamedova believes that such a work can be financed by GWP CACENA (because up today there are no another available financial resources). Study tour to Tbilisi Following the regional forum on energy efficiency in the framework of the project "The Mayors-East Agreement", the representatives of Central Asia and Caucasus who signed the Mayor Agreement visited Tbilisi (Georgia).

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Section 5: CWP-Uzbekistan

Two roundtables on IWRM implementation and GWP role

On 8 September 2013 in Samarkand, CWP-Uzbekistan has organized a roundtable dedicated to

raising awareness on GWP and CWP-Uzbekistan activities related to IWRM implementation. The

roundtable was attended by partners of CWP-Uzbekistan and by authorities of water management,

municipal and water supply service of Zerafshan River Basin. The students (future Masters of water

management) from the Samarkand Agricultural Institute and the Samarkand State Institute on

Architecture and Construction were also invited.

The roundtable's aims were:

- to ensure progress in the Work Program implementation and the Plan of Activity by the national

groups - partners of CWP-Uzbekistan;

- to increase number of the GWP CACENA partners;

- to involve partners into the CWP-Uzbekistan activity;

- to promote IWRM principles and principles of GWP, as well increase awareness on activity of GWP,

GWP CACENA, CWP-Uzbekistan.

Participants proposed to raise awareness about GWP

Strategy and ways for its implementation. The water supply

managers suggested ways for cooperation on climate change

adaptation and on supply with pure drinking water for urban

population. Conditions for water resources management

should be improved. This opens possibilities to broaden

IWRM implementation. Total: 31 participants.

The 2nd roundtable was organized to bring together the

water users of the Agricultural Sector, who participate in the Rural Enterprise Support Project, for

exchange of practice and information on IWRM implementation. It was concluded that cooperation

with water users is needed to use their experience for improving IWRM implementation. And that

the partners of CWP-Uzbekistan should cooperate with local municipal body on creating the

regulations for control of water resources allocation.

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Section 6: CWP-Georgia

Strategic Action Plan (SAP) and National Integrated Water Resources Management Plan (IWRM) Presentation Discussion of Strategic Action Plan/Proframme prepared within UNDP/GEF project "Reducing transboundary degradation in the Kura Ara(k)s River Basin" was held on 16 September 2013, at the UNDP Georgia Country Office in Tbilisi. The Strategic Action Plan/Proframme (SAP) for the Kura River Basin is a Guideline developed to support regional countries in sustainable management of water resources and improvement of integrated water resources management (IWRM). SAP contains outcomes and measures at the regional level that reflect national and transboundary priorities. These measures correspond to the Basin Vision and Ecosystem Quality Goals (EQG).

SAP includes 4 EQGs and 10 outcomes to implement these goals including "Coordinated adaptation to climate change". CWP-Georgia informed participants about the GWP CACENA project. CWP-Georgia intends to collaborate very closely with the UNDP/GEF EQG-10 project. Total: 25 people.

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International Conference on Energy for Sustainable Development

The International Conference on Energy for

Sustainable Development was held in the

Conference Hall at the Sheraton Metekhi Hotel on

17-19 September 2013 in Tbilisi. CWP-Georgia

was invited to participate. This Conference was

organized by UNECE and the Ministry of Economy

and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

This conference was useful for CWP-Georgia

because its activity relates to development of the

Sustainable Development Plan for Georgia. CWP-

Georgia is going to participate in the event on land

use issues in October in Geneva.

Environment Action Programme Task Force: 2013 annual meeting CWP-Georgia participated in the meeting of the Environment Action Programme (EAP) Task Force that

took place on 17-18 September 2013 in Tbilisi, Georgia. This meeting marked the 20th anniversary of

the EAP Task Force and of OECD’s support for its work. The nature of work has evolved considerably

over the years and is now focused on environment-related co-operation with countries of Eastern

Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. The discussion was built around two main components of the EAP

Task Force’s programme of work: green growth policies, with a focus on fossil fuel subsidies, and water

policy reform, particularly the linkage to green growth.

2nd Regional Meeting of Organizing Committee of International Project "Environment Protection in the International River Basins" The 2nd Regional Meeting of Organizing Committee of International Project "Environment Protection in the International River Basins" was held on 18-19 September 2013 in the Sheraton Metekhi Palace. CWP-Georgia participated in this meeting.

30

The International Project "Environment Protection in the International River Basins" is being implemented in the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Participants were informed about project goals and results achieved during the reporting period from February to July 2013. CWP-Georgia closely collaborates with this project within the Policy Dialogues on IWRM. CWP-Georgia participated in the development of new water law that is being discussed nowadays.

First Workshop “River Basin Commissions and Other Joint Bodies for Transboundary Water

Cooperation: Legal and Institutional Aspects” & Eighth meeting of the Working Group on

Integrated Water Resources Management

(See Section 3) CWP-Georgia participated in these two events

Institutionalizing of Adaptation to Climate Change and Impact Mitigation in Georgia regions

The Working Meeting within the project "Institutionalizing of Adaptation to Climate Change and

Impact Mitigation in Georgia regions" took place on 24-25 September 2013 in the Conference Hall at

the Holiday Inn. Hotel in Tbilisi. The project is being implemented in Russia and Eastern Europe within

the EU Eastern Partnerships. The Climate Policy was discussed during the meeting. CWP-Georgia took

part in this meeting as a partner of the above mentioned project.

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Training for officials

On 29-30 September 2013, the National Association of self-government organizations of Georgia

organized a training for officials within the project "Institutionalizing of Adaptation to Climate Change

and Impact Mitigation in Georgia regions" in the "Ambasadori" Hotel in Kachreti settlement.

The representative of CWP-Georgia (Mrs. Nino Chkhobadze) was invited as a trainer. Participants were

informed about legislative aspects of climate changes and 2nd report on climate changes as well as

about the GWP Water and Climate Programme.

Section 7: CWP-Kazakhstan

The Working Meeting with local partners

CWP-Kazakhstan organized the working meeting on the project "Drought Risk Management:

IWRM as a decision on regulation of water demand in irrigated agriculture". Mrs. Yakhiyaeva had a

business trip to the Kzylordinskaya oblast. The working meeting of project executors was held on 6

September 2013.

2nd meeting of the EU-CA working group on Climate Change and Strategic Planning of Nature

Management

CWP-Kazakhstan took part in the 2nd meeting of the EU-CA working group on Climate Change

and Strategic Planning of Nature Management that was held on 13-14 September 2013 in Almaty.

Interview to the Kazakhstan TV channel "Khabar"

Mr. Nariman Kipshakbaev, Chair of CWP-Kazakhstan, gave an interview about drought for the

future documentary - "Drought".

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Member Countries of GWP CACENA:

Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

EASTERN AFRICA Water, Climate and Development Program (WACDEP) - Report September 2013 “Role of Communication in Promoting Water Security and Climate Resilience,” 21-22nd August, 2013, Busegera District, Rwanda 1. Introduction and Background GWP Eastern Africa organized a Water and Climate Development (WACDEP) Training Workshop on August 21-22, 2013 in Bugesera District, Rwanda. The title of the workshop was “Role of Communication in Promoting Water Security and Climate Resilience.” The theme was grounded in the understanding that the success of WACDEP rests on how all stakeholders are informed, actively engaged and owning the processes: consultations, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. A total of 30 communications experts and journalists from Burundi and Rwanda attended the training (see the objective & outcomes of the training). The training is one of the sequenced outputs aimed at implementing AMCOW’s (the African Ministers Council on Water) decision--designating Global Water Partnership (GWP) as its focal partner to address issues of climate change and the response needed through the water sector; and launched a common program–Water, Climate and Development (WACDEP). The goal of the programme is to promote water as a key part of sustainable regional and national development and contribute to climate change adaptation for economic growth and human security. The overall objective WACDEP is to support integration of water security and climate resilience in development planning and decision making processes, through enhanced technical and institutional capacity and predictable financing and investments in water security and climate change adaptation. Initially, WACDEP will be implemented in eight countries: Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Rwanda and Tunisia; and four river basins: Volta Basin, Lake Chad, Lake Victoria-Kagera, and Limpopo Basin.’ In Eastern Africa, the program is being implemented at different levels, Trans-boundary river basin-Kagera, specifically in Bugesera Region, around Lake Cyohoha—a trans-boundary lake between Rwanda and Burundi. Historically, Bugesera, a region shared by Rwanda and Burundi face persistent drought brought by climatic changes resulting from unfriendly human practices such as over-cultivation, deforestation and unregulated livestock farming methods. Lake Cyohoha is a lake between Burundi and Rwanda. Its watershed extends 508 km2. Of this, 369 km2 is located in Burundi and 139 km2 in Rwanda. The lake is 27 km long and .5 to 2 km wide. It branches up to 9 km. It is separated from the river Akanyaru by a series of swamps. Water, Climate and Development Program (WACDEP) This is an important area for GWPEA to focus a WACDEP project on as it is a transboundary water source that significantly contributes to the livelihoods and wellbeing of several communities on both

33

sides of the lake. Along its banks many people farm and graze their livestock. This area is also home to potential conflict over its dwindling resources. The lake is being negatively affected by erosion as well as pollution from both human and animal waste. Conflict may arise over the declining state of the lake as Rwanda is bound to very strict environmental laws in order to protect its fresh water resources while Burundi is still at low levels. Limited efforts by Burundi to protect the lake may also inspire Rwandans to take advantage of its resources without care for its future quality.

2. Training Objectives

The main purpose of the workshop was to equip communication and media practitioners from Rwanda and Burundi with requisite skills and knowledge about Integrated Water Resources Management and Climate Change Adaptations around Lake Cyohoha. This objective is based on that fact that climate adaptation and sustainable management of the ecosystems and Lake Cyohoha will depend on how stakeholders (re4sidents, fishing cooperatives, bugesera district technical teams, women associations, youth and decision-makers) are aware and fully take ownership of the process towards solutions for the existing challenges. Media’s role in this front cannot be under-estimated. Specific objectives were to:

Raise awareness about the issues of water security and climate resilience with particular focus on media as key conveyors of messages

Equip some reporters from Rwanda and Burundi with key concepts such as climate change, water security, climate adaptation, climate resilience, water and climate uncertainties, among others

Create interests in partnering between media from the two countries and GWP Eastern Africa for WIN-WIN solutions (media, GWP Eastern and citizens around Lake Cyohoha as ultimate beneficiaries)

Generate inputs from media practitioners and communication officers on WACDEP Communication Strategy

3. Expected Training Outcomes

The expected training outcomes were that:

Invited media practitioners and communication officers understood key concepts (water security, climate change, climate adaptation, climate resilience, among others);

Invited journalism practitioners developed interests in covering water and climate change issues as to be evidenced by progressive media articles and eventual media, water and climate mitigation Network (MWCN);

Inputs from participants relating to WACDEP Communication Strategy generated;

Participants clearly understood their unique role in sustainable management of Lake Cyohoha;

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Media Network for Water Security and Climate Change Adaptation created and elected members committed to its cause.

4. Trainers

Mr. Patrick Safari is the Regional Coordinator of GWP Eastern Africa. Mr. Safari led two different sessions. One of his sessions was titled, “Towards Water Security and Climate Resilience in the World: Highlights of GWP’s Programmes and Activities (Global and in Eastern Africa Region.” This session was designed to familiarize participants with the work of GWPO as a whole and GWP Eastern Africa in particular, as well as the importance of water security and climate resilience. This session explained the importance of building partnerships for WRM and concluded by describing some of the programs GWP Eastern Africa is supporting at regional, national and community levels. He mainly focused on Water, Climate Development Program(WACDEP), its objectives, expected outcomes and work packages/components and roles stakeholders play in implementing the program in Rwanda and Burundi, specifically around Lake Cyohoha. The second session led by Mr. Safari was titled, “Towards Water Security and Climate Resilient Development in Burundi and Rwanda: Introduction to Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).” The objectives of this session were to ensure the participants understood the meaning and principles of IWRM and to introduce the importance of an IWRM approach. This presentation finished by depicting the Lake Cyohoha catchment area to ensure that participants fully grasped the connections between IWRM, Climate Change, mitigation and adaptation strategies and the current issues surrounding this trans-boundary lake Cyohoha. Both of these presentations established an essential foundation that participants can use to further their knowledge and understanding of IWRM and transboundary water issues throughout their region. With this, they can build a network of communication and information dissemination throughout the region to ensure that people at all levels of society are aware of the issues facing their water resources and the efforts that can be made in order to preserve these resources for future utilization. Dr. Callist Tindimugaya, trainer from Nile IWRM-Net and experienced expert in Water Resources Management and Climate Change led an additional session on climate change to improve participant understanding of the concepts, realities, challenges/risks and uncertainties Climate Change and Water Insecurity. He conducted a very important session titled, “Concepts, Reality and Uncertainty of Climate Change and Water Scarcity.” As the title suggests, this presentation shared the main concepts of climate change so that participants were able to fully grasp the difference what climate change is and how it is affecting Eastern Africa Region and provoke further discussions and interests by the Media practitioners from Rwanda and Burundi. With this information the participants were able to understand what Climate Change is, its causes, foreseeable uncertainties and risks and mitigation strategies. Media practitioners and communication officers realized that addressing climate change concerns is imperative and that climate change is something that affects all facets of life, particularly for those living throughout in rural Africa because of their limited capacities to mitigate it. Mr. Willy Mugenzi, is the Regional Communications Officer of GWP Eastern Africa. He emphasized that improved communications and information dissemination concerning water issues will better enable local communities and policy-makers to preserve their water resources, especially in the face of climate change. He also led two different sessions, both of which revolved around communication. One of his presentations was titled, “Why Climate Change and Water Issues are Important for Media?” The focus on his presentation aimed at responding to the overall thematic question: what is the Role of Communication in Promoting Water Security and Climate Resilience?.” It was through

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this presentation that Mr. Mugenzi helped participants understand why water news matters for the media. He demonstrated how water is necessary for people, food, nature and industry, thus it is important for all aspects of human life and well-being. Therefore, it is an essential topic to be covered by the media. Through this presentation he also reminded the media that they are able to act as an early warning system for their communities by bringing awareness to water and climate issues such as erratic floods, drought, and deadly winds. Due to media’s focus on political stories, such issues of public interest and concern rarely cross to the editor’s desk thus get scarcely published and broadcast by newspapers, broadcast media in Rwanda and Burundi. Expounding on why climate change and water issues are newsworthy, the trained outlined the following points:

Struggle for continuity of humanity vs vulnerability over climate change;

Climate change as today’s critical development challenge—influencing international development discourse;

Water based-conflicts in water scarce regions for instance the recent Egypt vs Ethiopia verbal exchanges over the waters of River Nile and Renaissance Dam (Ethiopia);

Media’s attention to unusual occurrences: ice caps of mountain caps slowly pilling off, extreme water disasters (floods), reducing waters in water catchments (in drier regions), temperate rises, water-based migrations and conflicts.

Media’s social responsibility—informing & educating societies about happenings

Most importantly, media’s unique role of preventing disasters through early warning investigative signals (reports) about climate change and its impacts.

However, there is more to the above—media need to continually ask the right questions relating to consequences to causes/effects of Climate Change, drivers; presenting hard evidences from science reports in an simple and plain language for ordinary citizens to understand. This cannot be achieved unless journalism practitioners develop specialization and interests in the water world and climate change issues. Right questions will not be asked, right information will hardly be delivered at the right time to the right audience with apparent disinterest and neglect of water issues and effects of climate change by the news media. The second presentation was titled, “Draft WACDEP Communication Strategy.” This presentation outlined the current draft of communication strategy to be used by WACDEP in East Africa: elaboration process, rationale, SWOT Analysis, strategy objectives and outcomes, targeted audiences, tools, and action plan as well as feedback mechanism. Participants recommended considering local and national context and building the existing cultural and linguistic values and similarities while implementing the WACDEP Communication Strategy. Emphasis was drawn on the importance of effective communication of WACDEP—creation of awareness, stimulating change in attitude, sharing of best and success stories and sustaining them for the posterity of citizens living around lake Cyohoha and beyond. This presentation helped participants familiarize themselves with potential strategies for their own work.

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5. Participants

There were a total of 30 participants from the communications and media sectors of Burundi and Rwanda. Journalists from radio, web, newspaper, and television sectors of both countries were present to ensure all media avenues were represented. This creates more active and unified media participation concerning WACDEP in Eastern Africa. It was important to include participants specifically media and communication practitioners from both Burundi and Rwanda as the issues concerning Lake Cyohoha are transboundary in nature and need active involvement of the media for awareness-raising, stimulating change in practices and attitudes that are not friendly to water security and climate resilience. It is important that the messages shared through this training are disseminated throughout both countries. The sharing of information on both sides of the lake with enable people on either side to know how to better preserve, protect and manage their water resources for a future of sustainability.

6. Methodology

The training was conducted through a variety of methods. A documentary film was shown in order to familiarize participants with climate change and it interacts with water, climate change effects and strategies for mitigation. Each trainer used PowerPoint presentations during their sessions in order to captivate participants with pictures, graphs, and charts. The PowerPoint presentations also simplified the more complicated messages so that participants could easily follow along with the speakers, making the knowledge more accessible. The highlight of the workshop was a fieldtrip to the Rwandan side of Lake Cyohoha. This field trip was led by Jean de Dieu Munyengeza Executive Secretary of the Kamabuye Sector, Bugesera District in Rwanda. He took participants to the lake where they were able to see first-hand the differences in terms of best case and worst case scenarios around Lake Cyohoha. Participants were able to interview local community members, including farmers, about their concerns and hopes for the lake. Local interviews also allowed the participants to gain a more complete understanding of the lake as well as some of the more pressing water issues in the region. Mr. Munyengeza shared his experience with the political side of environmental reform for the lake region. The fieldtrip provided participants with exposure and gave them material for their first stories about WACDEP and Lake Cyohoha. Finally, ample time was given for questions and answers. This ensured that all participants fully understood all of the sessions and what each of the trainers shared throughout the presentations. It also provided a platform for dialogue amongst participants and trainers about climate change, regional politics, IWRM and WACDEP in Eastern Africa.

7. Accomplishments/Outcomes The most significant accomplishment of this training was an increased awareness and understanding of the WACDED, its objectives expected outcomes, stakeholders and their roles in its successful implementation. Reporters expressed commitment to further cooperate with GWP Eastern Africa in seeking out information and reporting about WACDEP activities.

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Media practitioners and communication officers understood key concepts: water security, climate change, climate adaptation, climate resilience Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Approach and it can be applied in climate change mitigation. Relating to WACDEP Communication Strategy, participants provided insightful inputs to the WACDEP Communication strategy by emphasizing the need for building on the existing linguistic assets between Rwanda and Burundi and use of community radio stations and meetings; Participants were enthusiastic about what they learned, and expressed how they formerly never shared water and climate related information with the public through their various broadcast and publications. At the end of the training, each participant broadcast via radio and published stories (print and online) from the training and fieldtrip. This way, the public was informed about what took place and some reporters reported having received citizen feedback through SMS reacting on the broadcast stories through community radio stations. Importantly, the media and communication practitioners formed a network aimed at sharing information and knowledge. The network will enable exchange of knowledge products, press information packs between GWP Eastern and the news media. Through such network, coordination and monitoring of activities between media and communication practitioners (see photo below) will be faster and effective. The last two points expressly demonstrated the commitment of the news media and communication practitioners towards the sustainable management of Lake Cyohoha

8. Feedback

Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive. All participants reported that they were grateful they attended the training and that they learned valuable information that they think is important to spread throughout their communities and region. In the words of Daniel MULISA, representing the Ministry of Infrastructure in Rwanda, “Awareness is created [through this workshop] between the members of the two countries. Everyone learned their shortcomings and will move forward…it [the training] will create a big impact because everyone here is a writer so everyone will write and write and more awareness will be created. And, if we write the articles many lives will be changed as a result of environmental protection.” Diane UWIMANA of Burundi said the training established a foundation for a “dynamic network.” She also said that it was “important to see the project implemented [Rwanda’s environmental protection policies along the lake],” because it “inspires journalists to go to the field to report.” Cyprian NZAYISABA said, “this workshop has contributed too much to all [participants]. It is necessary and important knowledge that can help the people to be integrated into this program. It was also an opportunity for journalists to build new friendships among participants, such that I can say that this will be the future of such good things like two countries who can work together to protect the environment. I appreciate the effort f the government and local government in Rwanda. The side of Rwanda proves the potential [the lake has for improvement]. It encourages leaders on the other side to cooperate [for the protection of the lake].” Jeanne UMUHOZA responded to the training by saying, “It is very interesting. It helped us to compare the countries about environmental protection and water resources management…Burundi participants are dedicated to create change because if there’s no change, there will be bad impacts on their side. There can be more effort by government and policy makers.”

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9. Conclusion and Recommendations

In conclusion this training was a great success. It demonstrates the potential for active media and communications involvement in promoting WACDEP in Rwanda and Burundi. It Demonstrated the role of communicators and reporters in promoting water security and climate resilience—if effectively engaged and trained to get requisite knowledge and skills. The media and communication sectors expressed a great interest in accessing and spreading water and climate change stories throughout the region for the improvement of Lake Cyohoha. It was recommended use of catchy and practical methods such as documentaries, imagery presentations was commendable way to keep trainees engaged and interested. Emphasis on use of field visits and enabling journalists get a practical exposure on issues of water security and climate security was complementary and commendable way for understanding of the intricate issues, concepts and practices around Lake Cyohoha. Thus, participants recommended that future trainings have a similar field trip component and continuously involve media in WACDEP activities. The created Media network sought for more close collaboration and support from GWP Eastern Africa through active sharing of information, trainings and knowledge products. SOUTH AMERICA SOUTHERN AFRICA 1.0 INTRODUCTION GWP SA’s activities in September 2013 focused on preparatory work leading to the 6th SADC Multi-stakeholder Water Dialogue which was held in Lusaka on 1-2 October 2013 in Lusaka, Zambia. The dialogue themed “Watering Development in SADC: Exploring the Water, Energy and Food nexus”. The dialogue, held every two years specifically contributed toward GWP SA’s first three strategic goals, namely:

Ensuring water is a key of sustainable national development

Addressing Critical Development Challenges

Reinforcing Knowledge Management and Communications GWP SA also provided support to the WACDEP Programme by facilitating at sessions during the WACDEP meeting held in Rwanda. At country level, the WACDEP Programme in Zimbabwe made strides in contributing toward the National Climate Change Response Strategy for Zimbabwe (NCCRS). WACDEP Zimbabwe, together with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Water Resources Development and Management (MWRDM), the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), and Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Zimbabwe, conducted a workshop for chairpersons from some of the 47 Sub-catchment and 7 Catchments in Zimbabwe. The workshop participants specifically reviewed and made written submissions for the first draft of the (NCCRS). 2.0 SEPTEMBER 2013 ACTIVITIES 2.1 Zimbabwe Water Sector contributes to National Climate Change Response Strategy The Zimbabwe Country Water Partnership through the WACDEP and working with the Institute of Environmental Studies (IES) a GWP partner supported the Climate Change Office in organising a Catchments

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and Sub-Catchments Consultation and Action Planning Workshop from 12-13 September 2013, in Kadoma, about 140km south-west of Harare. The workshop with the aim of contributing towards the review and submission of written comments for the first draft of the National Climate Change Response Strategy for Zimbabwe (NCCRS) attracted over 65 participants (chairpersons from some of the 47 Sub-catchment and 7 Catchments in Zimbabwe, and officials from the Ministry of Water Resources Development and Management (MWRDM) and Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA). The process of developing an NCCRS for Zimbabwe is being driven by the National Task Team for Climate Change which is chaired by the Office of the President. The Climate Change Office which was in the former Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management (now the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate), is the secretariat and the overall process is being facilitated by the Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Zimbabwe. The support to the NCCRS process in Zimbabwe is part of the implementation of Work package 2: National development and sector plans, which is aimed at mainstreaming water security and climate resilience into national development processes. WACDEP in Zimbabwe is supporting the mainstreaming of water security and climate resilience into the National Climate Change Response Strategy. The consultations were part of the process being supported by WACDEP to ensure that water issues are strengthened and responses defined in the NCCRS. GWP through the WACDEP process is also supporting an expert who is collating issues coming from the other consultations that are supported by COMESA, UNDP and UNICEF. The NCCRS will produce action plans to drive investments for all sectors and WACDEP Zimbabwe will support the elaboration of action plans in 4 water related sectors (water, health, agriculture and energy). By contributing to the NCCRS development process in Zimbabwe, WACDEP is building on on-going national initiatives to ensure that water security contributes to climate resilient development. References: http://www.gwp.org/en/WACDEP/NEWS-AND-EVENTS/News-Archive/WACDEP-Zimbabwe-Empowers-Water-Resources-Management-Grassroots-Stakeholders-to-contribute-into-the-NCCRS-review-process/ 2.2 5th WACDEP Technical Coordination Meeting GWP SA staff participated and led sessions at the 5th WACDEP Technical Coordination meeting which focused on sharing progress, approaches and lessons learnt in delivering the WACDEP outputs. The meeting was hosted by GWP EA, and held in Kigali, Rwanda from 23-27 September 2013. will be aimed at creating communities of practice so that countries with commonalties in deliverables can be encouraged to work together and learn from each other. The meeting brought together WACDEP Programme Managers/ Officers, Finance Officers, and Communication Officers in order to discuss ways of improving communications and knowledge management within WACDEP both internally and externally. WACDEP Country Chairs/Coordinators were also resent to ensure that they are integrated more into the delivery of the programme and lead WACDEP implementation at country level. Additionally, the WACDE Reference Group (RG) will also participate in the progress review meeting as resource persons. In addition to WACDEP progress review meeting, other meetings to be convened include the 2nd WACDEP RG meeting, Communication officers and finance officers meeting. A WACDEP Capacity Development meeting was also held to test the learning materials being developed for the WACDEP capacity building at country level. The 5th WACDEP Coordination workshop was held to achieve the following objectives: • Share lessons on progress of the implementation of the WACDEP in the countries and regions

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• Discuss methodologies and approaches being used for the different deliverables under the WACDEP Work Packages

• Develop communities of practice that will share and exchange experiences on related work • Discuss the implementation of WACDEP Communications and Knowledge Management Strategies

developed by the regions and countries. • Discuss the implementation and roll-out of the Capacity Building Plans developed for the regions

and countries. • Define the specific support that the WACDEP Reference Group could provide to the countries and

regions and seek the RG input into the WACDEP Capacity building Learning materials and the water supplement to the National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) technical guidelines being developed by GWP and the UNFCCC

SOUTH ASIA SOUTH EAST ASIA

27th Steering Committee Meeting

The 27th SC Meeting was held on 1-2 October 2013 in Yangon, Myanmar. The agenda of the Steering

Committee meeting aimed at six major points: (1) Preparation of regional Strategy 2014-2020

following the launching of a new GWP global strategy, (2) finalizing regional 2014-2016 three years

program, (3) review of 2013 activity implementation, (4) preparation of 2014 annual work plan,

including specific plan under Water and Climate Program, (5) Internal strengthening of the

organization, and (6) evaluation of status of collaboration with other organizations.

GENERAL PARTNERS MEETING

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Global Water Partnership-Southeast Asia held its first General Partners Meeting on 4th October 2013

in Yangon, Myanmar. Over 60 participants from 9 Country Water Partnership attended this meeting,

which was covered by 2 media television.

It was in 1996 when GWP-SEA established and partners started collaboration to build strategy, vision

& mission for GWPSEA Organization. Presently 202 institutions in the region have been certified as

GWP partners.

“Partners are the key body of organizations” said GWP-SEA Chair, Mr. Hla Baw, in his opening speech

in the general partners meeting. Partners of GWP-SEA came from Government, Private, NGO and

University sectors. All of the important parts work hand in hand to support SEA countries in the

sustainable management of its water resources through IWRM approach.

The aim of the partners meeting is as firstly to share information regarding GWP development

and progress achieved at global, regional and country levels. Secondly, to share information

regarding future strategy and work plan, having regards to 2014 -2020 Strategy and 2014 -1026

Work Plan.

In this general partners meeting, through respective Country Water Partnerships partners share their

achievement, knowledge, challenges and experiences of their activities through partnership of the

GWP Organization. The activity contains IWRM Implementation, Water & Climate Program, Flood

Management, Social/Public Activity, Ecosystem Activity, Joint collaboration with other organizations.

After this successful meeting, it is envisaged that partners will keep moving and enhance, promote

their efforts and develop sinergies to keep supporting countries in improving water resources

management through practical IWRM.

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GWP-SEA Chair, Mr. Hla Baw interviewed by MRTV-4

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REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT FINANCING

Nine countries of Southeast Asia sit together in a workshop to share and discussed about water financing in region. This workshop took place in Yangon, Myanmar on 3rd October 2013. The goals of the workshop are to understand the financing frameworks for water resources management and development, to generate information regarding the level of public investments for WRM initiatives, and to propose potential financing schemes and mechanisms to increase the level of WRM financing. The nine countries, Canbodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, presented deep description regarding the above mentioned matter based on country studies and national workshops carried out in 2012. The financial and human resource capacities are both of great strategic importance for Southeast Asia’s water resources management and for ensuring robust institutional arrangement, the technical and professional competency, and for the planning and decision making process. Some international and regional institutions were invited. Three of them, NARBO/ Japan Water Forum, IUCN and Aquajaring/ Capnet had responded positively and sent their representatives. They had given useful presentations regardng their organization and possible field and form of cooperation with GWP-SEA.

2 Media Television were invited to broadcast the workshop live on TV.

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Madam Do Hong Phan, Observer from Vietnam interviewed by MyanmarTV

Mr. Phousavanh Fongkamdeng, Steering Committee Member from Lao PDR share his view about the workshop on water resources management financing

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H.E Mr. Watt Botkosal, SC Member from Cambodia interviewed by MRTV-4 on WRM Financing

Dr. Zaw Lwin Tun, share his view from Myanmar Water Partnership All presentation, video, photos can be found in our website www.gwpsea.org

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National Integrated Flood Management Programme - Role of Community Following the successful implementation of the National Integrated Flood Management (IFM) Programme - Role of Community 2012 last year in Kuala Lumpur, which was attended by participants from the states of Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor, the same programme was again planned for this year, but held only at the State of Pahang on 7th September 2013. The 2013 event, aimed at raising awareness and disseminating information to communities living in flood-proned areas in the State of Pahang, was organised by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Malaysia and MyWP Capacity Building Network (MyCBNet) in collaboration with Malaysian Water Partnership (MyWP) and MyCWP. The Programme was attended by 120 participants from government agencies, non-government agencies and representatives from the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) of each of the districts in Pahang. In this programme, government and non-government agencies were invited to give presentations and/or demonstrations on appropriate response action plans before, during and after a flood event. Agencies involved were National Security Council State of Pahang, Malaysia Civil Defence Department State of Pahang, Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia State of Pahang, Kuantan District Health Office, Malaysian Red Crescent (Pahang Branch). During this session, roles of each agency, action plans before, during and after flood were presented, while experiences of flood evacuation and aid were shared. First aid skills (e.g. CPR, bandage etc.) were demonstrated by Malaysian Red Crescent (Pahang Branch) and Malaysia Civil Defence Department State of Pahang. Other than that, fire fighting gadgets and other educational poster and materials were also presented at the event. Local media were invited to the event and the IFM 2013 event was reported in four major local newspapers, which were Sinar Harian, Sin Chew Daily, Nanyang Press and China Press. The IFM - Role of Community 2013 event was organised and implemented successfully and all the objectives were achieved. The participants had acquired knowledge on emergency response plan before, during and after the flood event. As flood is a common occurrence in Malaysia, continuous efforts are needed not just by the Government but by all levels of society in order to minimise and control the level of risks associated with such natural disasters.

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Media:

1. Press Conference

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2. Newspaper

WEST AFRICA

Ghana: TECHNICAL WORKING COMMITTEE ON WACDEP INAUGURATED

The inaugural meeting of the Technical Working Committee on WACDEP in Ghana was held on 19th

September, 2013 at the International Water Management Institute Conference Room in Accra under

the auspices of the Ghana Country Water Partnership.

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The participants represented various institutions/organisations from the Ministries, Departments and

Agencies with backgrounds in finance, planning, gender, food, energy, environment, water and water

related resources, civil society organisation and consulting networks.

The Committee was inaugurated by Nii Boi Ayibotele, chair of the Ghana Country Water Partnership.

In his inaugural speech, he noted that the composition of the Committee, among other things, was

such that the varied expertise could be brought to bear on the project perspectives in order to

strengthen its delivery, and to mobilise support for consultancy services in the various places of work.

Members agreed largely with the progress made in the project implementation. They noted that the

next meeting of the Committee should see progress made towards achievement of the planned

activities for the year 2013. In his closing remarks, the chair encouraged members to demonstrate

commitment to the course of WACDEP in order to deliver tangible results to better the lives of our

populations.

http://www.gwp.org/en/GWP-West-Africa/Le-GWP-AO-en-Action/Water-Climate-and-Development-

--WACDEP/Ghana-TECHNICAL-WORKING-COMMITTEE-INAUGURATED/